Ellie Harwood
@ellieharwood.bsky.social
Working to end child poverty at CPAG.
Interested in social security, children's rights, co-production and devolution.
She/her
Interested in social security, children's rights, co-production and devolution.
She/her
Pinned
Free school meals in Wales: secondary learners in poverty overlooked
Latest Welsh government free school meal (FSM) statistics show a fall of 6,000 in the number of children registered for means-tested FSMs in Wales. The fall in the number of children registered means ...
cpag.org.uk
New briefing taking a deeper look behind the free school meal data in Wales.
The number of e-FSM children in Wales has fallen since Welsh Govt began to phase out transitional protection.
We estimate 25,000 secondary learners in poverty can't get a free school dinner due to the £7,400 means test.
The number of e-FSM children in Wales has fallen since Welsh Govt began to phase out transitional protection.
We estimate 25,000 secondary learners in poverty can't get a free school dinner due to the £7,400 means test.
Growing up in poverty violates children's rights in multiple ways every day. As Sioned says, it's not an abstract economic condition but a persistent violation of dignity, security and health.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Human rights in Wales are too often “promises rather than protections”, leaving vulnerable people dependent on goodwill rather than legal guarantees, a Senedd member has warned
Wales ‘failing to turn human rights rhetoric into reality’
Ella Groves Human rights in Wales are too often “promises rather than protections”, leaving vulnerable people dependent on goodwill rather than legal guarantees, a Senedd member has warned. Sioned Wil...
nation.cymru
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Growing up in poverty violates children's rights in multiple ways every day. As Sioned says, it's not an abstract economic condition but a persistent violation of dignity, security and health.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Less than two weeks till the budget. Today, I'm sharing a letter sent to MPs by parents affected by the two-child limit & benefit cap a year ago, which set out their simple plea that every child be treated the same.
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Letter to MPs
YouTube video by Benefit Changes
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Less than two weeks till the budget. Today, I'm sharing a letter sent to MPs by parents affected by the two-child limit & benefit cap a year ago, which set out their simple plea that every child be treated the same.
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
We’ve joined more than 100 organisations in calling on the government to scrap the two-child limit in full. Every child deserves the best start in life, yet this policy is pushing too many families into hardship.
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Over 100 groups call for Labour to fully scrap two child benefit cap
‘Abolishing the two-child limit in full will set millions of children’s lives on a path to a brighter future’, major organisations say
www.independent.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We’ve joined more than 100 organisations in calling on the government to scrap the two-child limit in full. Every child deserves the best start in life, yet this policy is pushing too many families into hardship.
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
At the Cost of the School Day summit young people told Scotland's First Minister what more they think needs to happen in their schools to make sure poverty doesn't have an impact on learning.
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
At the Cost of the School Day summit young people told Scotland's First Minister what more they think needs to happen in their schools to make sure poverty doesn't have an impact on learning.
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Interesting to note how designing pleasant dining spaces and using coproduction to develop menus helps young people in Sweden make the most of the free food on offer in their schools.
‘If there’s a free alternative, I’ll eat healthily’: how Sweden devised brilliant school meals
‘If there’s a free alternative, I’ll eat healthily’: how Sweden devised brilliant school meals
A pilot scheme where students eat nutritious breakfasts using donated surplus food builds on the ‘folkhem’ welfare model to boost health and sustainability
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Interesting to note how designing pleasant dining spaces and using coproduction to develop menus helps young people in Sweden make the most of the free food on offer in their schools.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
We’re turning 60!
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
60 years of Child Poverty Action Group
Join us for a special online event marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, with keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
cpag.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We’re turning 60!
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
109 kids are falling into poverty every day because of the two-child limit.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
November 5, 2025 at 10:52 AM
109 kids are falling into poverty every day because of the two-child limit.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Our new analysis shows how many children could be lifted out of poverty by 2029/30 if the two-child limit on Universal Credit would be abolished:
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
November 4, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Our new analysis shows how many children could be lifted out of poverty by 2029/30 if the two-child limit on Universal Credit would be abolished:
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
The government must cancel plans to cut disability benefits for young people
This blog has been co-written by Maddy Rose, Senior Policy Researcher, and Victoria Anns, Policy Researcher.
medium.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
🚨 Today we at @turn2us.org.uk are in parliament to launch our new report and campaign to #StopTheStigma and fix the system.
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
October 30, 2025 at 7:46 AM
🚨 Today we at @turn2us.org.uk are in parliament to launch our new report and campaign to #StopTheStigma and fix the system.
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
New @resfoundation.bsky.social analysis: Any of the rumoured half-measure options for repealing the two-child limit would leave child poverty HIGHER at the end of the Parliament than it was when the Government took power. 🧵https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/no-half-measures/
No half measures • Resolution Foundation
The Government’s long-awaited Child Poverty Strategy is due next month, close to, or contemporaneous with, the Autumn Budget. There have been some welcome announcements already: the over-indexation of...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New @resfoundation.bsky.social analysis: Any of the rumoured half-measure options for repealing the two-child limit would leave child poverty HIGHER at the end of the Parliament than it was when the Government took power. 🧵https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/no-half-measures/
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
In this by-election, the Nation of Sanctuary scheme was twisted beyond recognition. Caerphilly’s Ukrainian community had to fight alone. If there’s a system to deal with misinformation, it’s invisible. And if it exists, it’s too slow and broken to matter ✍️ Yuliia Bond
What we learned from the Caerphilly by-election – and why we mustn't allow a repeat in next May’s Senedd election
Yuliia Bond What happened in this election wasn’t democracy – it was chaos built on lies. Leaflets full of hate, fear, and disinformation were pushed through people’s doors without a single barrier, w...
wp.me
October 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
In this by-election, the Nation of Sanctuary scheme was twisted beyond recognition. Caerphilly’s Ukrainian community had to fight alone. If there’s a system to deal with misinformation, it’s invisible. And if it exists, it’s too slow and broken to matter ✍️ Yuliia Bond
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
We learnt today that annual CPI inflation was 3.8% in September 2025. The Universal Credit Act 2025 increases the rate of the standard allowance in Universal Credit by 2.3% after applying this inflation, meaning an increase of around 6.2% in April 2026.
October 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
We learnt today that annual CPI inflation was 3.8% in September 2025. The Universal Credit Act 2025 increases the rate of the standard allowance in Universal Credit by 2.3% after applying this inflation, meaning an increase of around 6.2% in April 2026.
Excellent analysis of the issues with FSM as a proxy for educational disadvantage. Wide variation over time and place in which groups qualify, whether they actually enrol, and the type of additional support provided as a result. Variation between different ethnic groups is particularly stark.
Free School Meals need review to better serve disadvantaged children.
The final report in our @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded project examining FSM as a measure, argues that relying on FSM as a single proxy doesn't reflect the complexity of children’s experiences.
news.sky.com/story/why-th...
The final report in our @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded project examining FSM as a measure, argues that relying on FSM as a single proxy doesn't reflect the complexity of children’s experiences.
news.sky.com/story/why-th...
Why thousands of England's poorest children are missing out on free school meals
The Education Policy Institute is recommending a new national system of auto-enrolment for free school meals and other measures to ensure more eligible children can benefit, as too many who should get...
news.sky.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Excellent analysis of the issues with FSM as a proxy for educational disadvantage. Wide variation over time and place in which groups qualify, whether they actually enrol, and the type of additional support provided as a result. Variation between different ethnic groups is particularly stark.
It's #ChallengePovertyWeek, and if you read one thing, I'd recommend this article by @ilonapin.bsky.social
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
Learning is an essential need
Recent public narratives around asylum-seeking have focused on mostly men arriving by small boats and staying in Home Office commissioned hotels. However, what is the experience of the children and fa...
cpag.org.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
It's #ChallengePovertyWeek, and if you read one thing, I'd recommend this article by @ilonapin.bsky.social
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Population Health: Strongest Start.
A conference to build knowledge, share inspiration and drive action to shape better lives for babies, children and young people.
📅 Date: 20th November 2025
📍 Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
🎟️Tickets available here: https://loom.ly/jXbIPsA
#CPHCNE25
A conference to build knowledge, share inspiration and drive action to shape better lives for babies, children and young people.
📅 Date: 20th November 2025
📍 Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
🎟️Tickets available here: https://loom.ly/jXbIPsA
#CPHCNE25
October 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Population Health: Strongest Start.
A conference to build knowledge, share inspiration and drive action to shape better lives for babies, children and young people.
📅 Date: 20th November 2025
📍 Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
🎟️Tickets available here: https://loom.ly/jXbIPsA
#CPHCNE25
A conference to build knowledge, share inspiration and drive action to shape better lives for babies, children and young people.
📅 Date: 20th November 2025
📍 Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
🎟️Tickets available here: https://loom.ly/jXbIPsA
#CPHCNE25
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Hidden school hunger & school meals debt: The families of almost 1 in 4 pupils ineligible for free school meals are in debt because they cannot afford the cost of school lunches. Research from @aberlourcharity.bsky.social raises fears over 'hidden hunger' in #schools: buff.ly/qNrDSpU
Hidden school hunger and school meals debt - Headteacher Update
Research from Aberlour Children’s Charity finds many pupils and families ineligible for free school meals are in debt
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Hidden school hunger & school meals debt: The families of almost 1 in 4 pupils ineligible for free school meals are in debt because they cannot afford the cost of school lunches. Research from @aberlourcharity.bsky.social raises fears over 'hidden hunger' in #schools: buff.ly/qNrDSpU
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
A south Wales foodbank is calling for an end to uncapped GP charges for providing diagnosis confirmation letters required to access disability benefits
Foodbank demands cap on GP letter fees after disabled man forced to live in car
A south Wales foodbank is calling for an end to uncapped GP charges for providing diagnosis confirmation letters required to access disability benefits. Vale Foodbank says the charges are forcing some...
wp.me
October 3, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A south Wales foodbank is calling for an end to uncapped GP charges for providing diagnosis confirmation letters required to access disability benefits
Current proposals will make it even harder for people with cancer to get financial support for the extra costs it brings. Scrapping WCA means many patients will have to meet PIP criteria instead. PIP currently fails to recognise the specific and unique ways cancer treatment disables people.
"Abolishing the WCA without ensuring the PIP assessment is more inclusive could result in people receiving no support," said @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social.
"This will particularly impact, for example, someone recovering from cancer or a serious accident." www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
"This will particularly impact, for example, someone recovering from cancer or a serious accident." www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Labour faces another mass rebellion over reforms to universal credit
Welfare secretary Pat McFadden plans further reforms to the benefits system, expected to include abolishing the work capability assessment.
www.bigissue.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Current proposals will make it even harder for people with cancer to get financial support for the extra costs it brings. Scrapping WCA means many patients will have to meet PIP criteria instead. PIP currently fails to recognise the specific and unique ways cancer treatment disables people.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
To reduce child poverty, government must scrap the two-chid limit. And that means fully scrapping it – no benefit cap, no tapers, no new limit. All children deserve the best start in life, and messing around the edges of this policy won’t cut it. 2/2
October 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM
To reduce child poverty, government must scrap the two-chid limit. And that means fully scrapping it – no benefit cap, no tapers, no new limit. All children deserve the best start in life, and messing around the edges of this policy won’t cut it. 2/2
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Today, we're at Labour Party Conference where Jonny Roberts is speaking at a @cpaguk.bsky.social fringe setting out what action Labour needs to take in order to take decisive action on child poverty [sneak preview of what he may say here 🧵]
www.changingrealities.org
September 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Today, we're at Labour Party Conference where Jonny Roberts is speaking at a @cpaguk.bsky.social fringe setting out what action Labour needs to take in order to take decisive action on child poverty [sneak preview of what he may say here 🧵]
Every day, 109 children are pulled into poverty by the two child limit. Thousands of families have been affected since Labour took power. Childhoods are short and you only get one. Time is well overdue to scrap the 2 child limit and the benefit cap.
Part of the 'no strategy, only tactics' problem this government has is: once you have made a manifesto commitment to bringing down child poverty, indeed, once you are *the Labour party*, you were going to have to do the thing that actually reduces it. Much has been wasted thru dallying for a year.
Amid reports that MPs and an advisory taskforce will recommend scrapping the two-child limit on benefits, it's worth noting that this step would be the most targeted and cost-effective way for the Government to meet its aim of reducing child poverty ⤵️
September 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Every day, 109 children are pulled into poverty by the two child limit. Thousands of families have been affected since Labour took power. Childhoods are short and you only get one. Time is well overdue to scrap the 2 child limit and the benefit cap.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Please do read and share this thread on @changingrealities.bsky.social parents and carers take on what needs to be in the schools white paper.
Echoes much of what @johnharris1969.bsky.social said yesterday, & what thousands of parents are calling for.
Echoes much of what @johnharris1969.bsky.social said yesterday, & what thousands of parents are calling for.
We can all agree that the current systems of Special Educational Needs support are failing but the next step is to agree what change is needed to build a better, more inclusive system that works for all children
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org
September 23, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Please do read and share this thread on @changingrealities.bsky.social parents and carers take on what needs to be in the schools white paper.
Echoes much of what @johnharris1969.bsky.social said yesterday, & what thousands of parents are calling for.
Echoes much of what @johnharris1969.bsky.social said yesterday, & what thousands of parents are calling for.